How to Keep Your Computer Awake Without a Mouse Jiggler

Updated October 16, 2026 · 6 min read · By Varinder

Your laptop locks halfway through a big download, the presentation screen goes black, or the recipe vanishes while your hands are covered in flour. Here are the reliable ways to keep a computer awake, from a one-click browser tab to built-in settings.

1. From a browser tab (no install)

Modern browsers support the Screen Wake Lock feature, which lets a web page ask the system not to dim or lock the screen. The mouse jiggler page uses it with an optional timer: 30 minutes, a few hours, or until you stop it.

• Pros: nothing to install, works on locked-down work laptops that don't allow new software, and stops the moment you close the tab.
• Cons: the tab has to stay visible. Minimise it or switch tabs and the browser releases the lock until you come back.

2. Windows settings

1. Open Settings → System → Power & battery (Windows 11) or Settings → System → Power & sleep (Windows 10).
2. Under Screen and sleep, set the screen and sleep times to Never, or to a longer time, for when the laptop is plugged in.

For a temporary switch you can turn on and off, Microsoft's free PowerToys includes a tool called Awake. It sits in the system tray and keeps the PC awake indefinitely or for a set time.

3. Mac settings

• System Settings → Lock Screen: set "Turn display off when inactive" to a longer time, or Never while on power.
• Terminal: type caffeinate -d and press Return. The Mac stays awake until you press Ctrl+C. caffeinate -t 3600 keeps it awake for one hour.

4. Linux

In GNOME, open Settings → Power and change Screen Blank and Automatic Suspend. From a terminal, systemd-inhibit --what=idle sleep 3600 blocks idle sleep for an hour.

5. Physical mouse jigglers

A USB mouse jiggler is a small device that pretends to be a mouse and nudges the pointer every few seconds. Some sit under a real mouse and move it. They work on any computer without software, but they cost money and are easy to spot on a desk.

What about Teams and Slack "Away" status?

Keeping the screen awake isn't the same as looking active. Microsoft Teams and Slack decide you're "Away" by watching keyboard and mouse input, so a wake lock or a power setting usually won't keep your status green. Only something that creates real input (a hardware jiggler, or software allowed on the device) affects that.

A word of caution: many employers treat activity simulators as a policy breach, and some monitoring tools detect them. If an "Away" status is causing you problems, it's usually better to talk to your manager about it than to fake activity.

Which method should you use?